107 Good Morning (1/2)

A FEW minutes before the ceremony began…

LUNA was alone.

She returned to the Royal Capital in a carriage with Duke Nystrom. But she asked to be dropped off a few meters away from Eclis Church. She could hide her presence well enough that even though the royal knights could see her, they would simply ignore her and not question her for loitering around the church. It was some kind of a charm that only high-level witches like her could execute well.

Anyway, the security around Eclis Church right now was very tight because His Majesty would attend the ceremony later.

Still, the air around is pricking my skin.

There was definitely someone– or something– in the Royal Capital now that wasn't supposed to exist. That was the feeling she was getting.

What could it be?

And was it possible that it was the same entity that ”visited” the duke and the duchess last night?

”My lady, can I help you with something?”

Luna was kind of surprised when someone noticed her. But when she turned around and realized who it was, her surprise was replaced by amazement.

Captain Denver.

Ah, she should have expected that the charm she used, no matter how level it was, wouldn't work on a high-skilled captain like Mikhail Denver. Aside from his position as one of the captains of Four Orders, he was also a Fire Mage.

”I noticed that you've been looking around,” Captain Denver said politely when he stood in front of her. ”Are you lost, my lady?”

”I am where I'm supposed to be,” Luna said, then she gave the captain a polite curtsy. ”My name is Luna, Sir Denver. I am Lady Nystrom's doctor.”

”Oh,” he said with a hint of surprise in his voice. ”May I know why the people around us are acting like they don't see you?”

”It's my charm. As in literal charm,” she explained. ”I'm hiding my presence so no one would question as to why I'm loitering here. But of course, my charm doesn't work on people with high level Mana like you, captain.”

”Ah, I see,” he said cautiously. ”Is there a reason why you need to do that, Miss Luna?”

”This area isn't safe for the duchess.”

He looked surprised by her bluntness.

And as if on cue, all of a sudden, they both felt a very strong bloodlust directed at them. When they turned to where the bloodlust was coming from, they found a grand carriage with the crest of House Huxley. She recognized the crest because it was an old family.

But the murderous feelings they felt was gone as soon as they felt it, making both of them question if what they felt really happened.

Still, she noticed something strange.

The chilling aura that I've been feelings since I arrived at the Royal Capital was very strong in that carriage.

”I'm not sure,” Captain Denver answered in a confused tone. ”As far as I am concerned, I've never been involved in any of Lord Huxley's business.”

”Still, that chilling killing intent was strongly directed at you.”

”I noticed that as well,” he said. ”I guess I have to be careful around the count.”

”We should follow them,” she told the captain. ”Something in that carriage feels strange. I'm certain it wasn't the count.”

The captain's brows furrowed in confusion. ”I'm sorry but I don't understand what you're talking about, Miss Luna.”

”Just trust me, Captain Denver,” Luna said seriously. ”Like you, it's also my duty to protect the heart of the Supreme.”

Captain Denver looked surprised. But then, he became serious after he realized that like him, she was also a servant of the Supreme. ”Let me lead the way, Miss Luna.”

***

NOPE, I didn't hear anything. I'm just hallucinating because I'm hungry. Nope, nope, nope– I refuse to deal with this kind of sh*t again.

Tilly heard a soft laugh that sounded like it came from a man. Still, she pretended that she didn't hear that.

Nope, I'm not hearing things.

And did that voice call her ”Daughter of the Sun” earlier? Gosh, she had so many ”pet names.” Some people called her the ”heart,” others ”Supreme,” and now, ”Daughter of the Sun?”

What the heck?

Thankfully, the High Priest finally asked them to open their eyes.

When Tilly opened her eyes, her gaze easily found Kiho who was looking intently at her. She had a feeling that he didn't even take his eyes off of her. Not even for a second.

Kiho, that's kind of rude, she scolded her husband lightly.

To be honest, Kiho obviously wasn't a religious person. In fact, he was kind of rude to the gods as if he didn't believe them.

But he's a good person. He's better than most nobles who attend church religiously but treat other people badly as if they didn't learn anything from the sermons and teachings of the priests. At least, my husband isn't hypocrite like them.

”Lady Nystrom?”

Tilly's tore her gaze away from Kiho when Howard stood in front of her while holding a tea cup. ”Yes, Your Eminence?”

”I offer you the drink that His Holiness enjoyed in the past,” Howard said. ”May the gods answer your prayer and bring the saint back to us.”

Oops, sorry. I didn't pray for the saint to awaken.

She politely nodded, and then she parted her lips lightly as she was instructed to do.

The High Priest helped her drink the tea in the cup.

She wasn't afraid to drink it because Sentinel was insider her heart now. He assured her earlier that he would make sure she wasn't going to be poisoned or anything. Plus, she still had the protection spell that Luna put on her.

And of course, Kiho was there.

I'm blessed to be surrounded by good people.

Anyway, the tea didn't taste as awful as she expected it to be. It was black tea mixed with a flower that she wasn't familiar with. But she understood why the previous Beast Priestesses probably didn't like the tea. It was very bitter after all.

Well, as a foodie, I enjoy discovering ”strange” food and drinks.

After she finished the tea, Howard lit the candle she was holding using a huge match stick. ”I wish you luck, Lady Nystrom.”

”Thank you, Your Eminence,” she said, then she acknowledged the ”audience” with a polite nod before she literally turned her back on them.

Let's get this done and over with.